Rotating Control Device Clamping Mechanism

Abstract

A closure arrangement for use on a rotating control device used during managed pressure drilling, said closure arrangement adapted for the installation of a bearing assembly adapted for insertion into a body, said body defining an upper circular opening and comprising an outer circumferential edge, said closure arrangement comprising: a closure collet comprising: a top section comprising an outwardly protruding shoulder and an inwardly protruding shoulder; and a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending downwardly therefrom forming a middle section and a bottom section of said collet; said fingers adapted to securely and removably fit around said outer circumferential edge of said body; and a collet lock ring adapted to slidingly move between a first position defined by the middle section of the closure collet and a second position proximate the bottom section of the closure collet; wherein, when the closure arrangement is in use, the bearing assembly is securely inserted into said body and the collet lock ring is secured around the bottom section of the closure collet.

1 . A closure arrangement for use on a rotating control device used during managed pressure drilling, said closure arrangement comprising:
 a bearing assembly;   a body wherein said bearing assembly is inserted into said body, said body defining an upper circular opening and comprising an outer circumferential edge and a downward facing lower tapered face;   a closure collet comprising a top section having an outwardly protruding shoulder, an inwardly protruding shoulder, and a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending downwardly forming a middle section and a bottom section of said closure collet; said closure collect further having an upward facing tapered surface on said bottom section that engages the downward facing lower tapered face of said body, said fingers arranged to securely and removably fit around said outer circumferential edge of said body;   a collet lock ring secured around the bottom section of the closure collet; and   wherein the inwardly protruding shoulder of the closure collet is inserted between a first piece and a second piece on the bearing assembly wherein the first piece is adjacent to the second piece.   
     
     
         2 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the inwardly protruding shoulder of the closure collet is fitted to a complementary cavity located on said bearing assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure collet comprises a single piece comprising an upper section itself comprising a solid upper ring, and a lower section comprising a plurality of flexible fingers integral with the upper section arranged to allow the expansion of the lower part over the outer circumferential edge of the body when inserting or removing the closure arrangement therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting means comprise commercially available eye bolts intended for lifting. 
     
     
         5 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein upon installation of the bearing assembly is maintained in alignment with the body with anti-rotation pins. 
     
     
         6 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein the closure collet fingers further comprise a shallow inward facing taper engaged with a shallow outward facing taper positioned on an upper outside circumferential edge of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure collet expands over a lip located on the upper edge of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The closure arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure collet and the body each comprise complimentary tapers that mutually engage one another to guide and center the bearing assembly during the process of lowering the bearing assembly within the circular opening of the body. 
     
     
         9 . A method of securing a bearing assembly into a body during managed pressure drilling operations, wherein said method comprises:
 providing a closure arrangement according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 ;   securing the collet to the bearing assembly;   securing a lift sling to lifting hooks located on the collet ring;   lifting the bearing assembly by a lifting means;   aligning the bearing assembly over the circular aperture in the body;   lowering the bearing assembly into the circular aperture in the body;   aligning the anti-rotation pins with the corresponding openings in the bearing assembly;   sliding the closure collet down to be secured around the bottom section of the collet by abutting a downward facing taper on the inside of the lock ring with an upward facing taper on the closure collet; and   removing the lift sling from the hooks located on the collet ring.   
     
     
         10 . A closure arrangement for use on a rotating control device used during managed pressure drilling, said closure arrangement comprising:
 a bearing assembly;   a body defining an upper circular opening and having an outer circumferential edge and a downward facing lower tapered face, wherein said bearing assembly is inserted in said body;   a closure collet comprising: a top section having an outwardly protruding shoulder and an inwardly protruding shoulder; and a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending downwardly therefrom forming a middle section and a bottom section of said collet; said fingers arranged to securely and removably fit around said outer circumferential edge of said body, said closure collect further having an upward facing tapered surface on said bottom section that engages the downward facing lower tapered face of said body,   a collet lock ring slidingly moved between a first position defined by the middle section of the closure collet and a second position proximate the bottom section of the closure collet the collet lock ring comprising a solid piece having two or more ears;   wherein, when the closure arrangement is in use, the bearing assembly is securely inserted into said body and the collet lock ring is secured around the bottom section of the closure collet; and   wherein the closure collet does not create a rotational lock to said bearing assembly; and   wherein the inwardly protruding shoulder of the closure collet is inserted between a first piece and a second piece on the bearing assembly wherein the first piece is adjacent to the second piece.   
     
     
         11 . The closure arrangement of  claim 1  wherein:
 the collet lock ring includes a solid piece having two or more ears and lifting means attached to said two or more ears.